By Gladys Davis Mulkey
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Authorities believe the people involved in a LaPlace shooting Wednesday night knew each other.

Sgt. Dane Clement of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office said Friday morning police are not looking for any other suspects following the arrest Lendell Smith, 41, of Dove Street in LaPlace.

Deputies first responded to 640 W. Airline Hwy., at 8:37 p.m. Wednesday, learning the subjects involved in a shooting fled the area prior to their arrival.

No one was injured, according to Sheriff Mike Tregre.

Witnesses told deputies several men started fighting outside Daiquiris and Company, and, as the fight continued, the group moved into the adjacent parking area.

“One of the men produced a handgun and fired shots,” Tregre said. “Through witness accounts of the incident and over the course of the investigation, investigators identified the perpetrator as (Smith).”

Tregre said deputies arrested Smith at his residence, booking him with aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal use of a weapon and an outstanding attachment. Smith was released Thursday on a commercial bond of $27,650, and Clement said the investigation is ongoing, adding no other details were available.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. Residents that call Crimestoppers do not have to testify and may qualify for a cash reward. Tips can also be submitted at http://stjohnsheriff.org/submitatip.php.